H.R. No. 238
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Sergeant Ron Parker of the La Porte Police
    1-2  Department was accorded a great honor recently when he received the
    1-3  Texas Police Officer of the Year Award at the American Legion
    1-4  Midwinter Convention; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker was chosen to receive this
    1-6  prestigious accolade by the legion's Department of Texas after
    1-7  careful consideration of many qualified candidates from across the
    1-8  state, and his selection is indicative of the success he has
    1-9  enjoyed throughout his career and of the esteem in which he is held
   1-10  by his colleagues; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, He began his career with the La Porte Police
   1-12  Department in 1984 as a patrol officer, and he quickly earned a
   1-13  well-deserved reputation for excellence based on his
   1-14  professionalism, expertise, and dedication; after earning immediate
   1-15  recognition as Rookie of the Year, he showed even greater potential
   1-16  as he advanced through the ranks to become a detective and
   1-17  sergeant; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, In recognition of his meritorious service throughout
   1-19  the years, Sergeant Parker received numerous honors and awards,
   1-20  including a special commendation from Governor Mark White; in 1993,
   1-21  he received the Medal of Valor for his courageous actions in
   1-22  assisting an officer who was injured while apprehending a suspect
   1-23  and for arresting the perpetrator without further incident; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, He was decorated with the Medal of Merit in the
    2-1  following year for his heroic rescue of two children during a fire
    2-2  at a local apartment complex, and his entire team was honored for
    2-3  its outstanding actions in the incident as well; in addition, he
    2-4  recently received special commendation for his exceptional service
    2-5  from the American Legion at the national level; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker has continued to make many
    2-7  significant contributions to the law enforcement community through
    2-8  his work with several professional organizations and is a valued
    2-9  member of the Texas Robbery Investigators Association, Texas
   2-10  Homicide Investigators Association, and Texas Municipal Police
   2-11  Officers Association; he also has offered his wealth of expertise
   2-12  to the benefit of Bay Area Crime Stoppers and the Law Enforcement
   2-13  Division of the National Rifle Association; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, A patriotic individual, he served with distinction
   2-15  for seven years as a member of the United States Army National
   2-16  Guard, and in recognition of his outstanding efforts, he was
   2-17  decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal and received an
   2-18  honorable discharge as a sergeant; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker and his lovely wife Debbie also have
   2-20  worked toward the betterment of the Houston metropolitan community
   2-21  through their exemplary commitment as foster parents with Children
   2-22  Protective Services, and they are the loving parents of two
   2-23  cherished children, Brandi and Kent; and
   2-24        WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker's dedication to his community has
   2-25  significantly benefited the residents of the La Porte area, and he
   2-26  is indeed deserving of special praise and recognition on the
   2-27  occasion of his most recent honor; now, therefore, be it
    3-1        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
    3-2  Legislature hereby congratulate Sergeant Ron Parker for being named
    3-3  Texas Police Officer of the Year by the American Legion and extend
    3-4  to him warmest best wishes for many more years of continued success
    3-5  and happiness; and, be it further
    3-6        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-7  prepared for Sergeant Parker as an expression of high regard by the
    3-8  Texas House of Representatives.